The bridal processional is the song you walk down the aisle to. It plays after the ring bearer, the flower girl or whoever is the last person to walk down the aisle right before the bride. This is the moment guests stand and turn, so the music matters. Here are 48 wedding processional songs we have been playing for the past few years, from modern covers to classics.
The traditional song is the bridal chorus, but nobody plays that anymore unless you want to take it back to the 1900s. Many brides now choose an instrumental cover of a favorite pop song, a classical piece, or a song with personal meaning. The list below gives you options in each style.
Read the advice below, play a few of the wedding processional songs on the list, and decide which one feels right when you imagine the doors opening. We will edit it so your entrance begins at the right moment.
How to choose wedding processional songs
Think about the pace you want to walk at. A song with a slow, steady tempo gives you time to see guests and take in the room. A brighter song may feel more joyful but can make you walk too fast. Imagine your walk and pick a song that matches it.
Many brides also think about how the song starts. A soft intro gives you a moment to compose yourself, and a clear build at the 30-second mark can line up with the doors opening. We edit the intro so the music begins as you appear.
How long should wedding processional songs be?
The aisle walk usually takes between 30 seconds and two minutes. We shorten or loop the song to fit. If the song is longer than the walk, we fade it after you reach the front or let it ring into the officiant’s opening words.
If your venue has a long aisle, tell us before the rehearsal. We will adjust the edit and the timing of the fade.
Styles of wedding processional songs
- Classical: Canon in D, Ave Maria and other classics suit churches and formal venues.
- Instrumental covers: string quartet or piano versions of favorite songs are the most popular choice.
- Acoustic pop: a soft vocal version feels intimate.
- Cultural: traditional music from your family fits a cultural ceremony.
- Modern and upbeat: a brighter song suits couples who want the entrance to feel like a celebration.
Tips for your bridal entrance
- Pick a song that does not need the lyrics to be understood.
- Ask for a clean intro so you are not waiting.
- Rehearse the entrance with your coordinator.
- Pick a different song for the wedding party so your entrance stands out.
- Share the song with your photographer and videographer.
- Have a backup copy ready.
The full list of wedding processional songs: part one
These wedding processional songs are in no particular order. Listen to a few, mark the ones that feel right, and send us your shortlist.
- Marry Me — Train
- Marry Me — Wedding Music
- A Thousand Years — Christina Perri
- A Thousand Years — The Piano Guys
- Make You Feel My Love — Romeo Loves Juliet
- Turning Page — Sleeping At Last
- Over the Rainbow — Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
- Can’t Help Falling In Love — Kina Grannis
- Sea of Love — Cat Power
- Take The World — Johnnyswim
- I See the Light (From “Tangled”) — Benny Martin
- The One — Kodaline
- Your Song — Ellie Goulding
- I Will Spend My Whole Life Loving You — Imaginary Future
- Take My Hand (The Wedding Song) [feat. Will Anderson] — Emily Hackett
- Can’t Help Falling In Love – Live At Daytrotter — Ingrid Michaelson
- I Knew This Would Be Love — Imaginary Future
- Tenerife Sea — Ed Sheeran
- I’m so in Love with You (feat. Seth Avett) — Jill Andrews
- The One You Love — Passenger
- I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) — Sleeping At Last
- God Only Knows — Kina Grannis
- You Are My Sunshine — Jasmine Thompson
- I Do — Susie Suh
Listen to the wedding processional songs playlist
Our Spotify playlist collects these wedding processional songs in one place. Save it and add your own.
The full list of wedding processional songs: part two
- XO — John Mayer
- I Wanna Grow Old with You — Bride & Groom
- How Long Will I Love You – Bonus Track — Ellie Goulding
- Something – Remastered 2009 — The Beatles
- Patience — The Lumineers
- Perfect — Boyce Avenue
- I See The Light — Benny Martin
- Make You Feel My Love — Dallas String Quartet
- I Love You Always Forever – Acoustic — Mateo Oxley
- Glasgow Love Theme — Craig Armstrong
- Runaway – Piano Rendition — The Blue Notes
- I Was Made For Loving You — Tori Kelly
- No Matter Where You Are — Us The Duo
- Here Comes the Sun — Imaginary Future
- I Choose You — Sara Bareilles
- God Only Knows (feat. yMusic) — John Legend
- Can’t Help Falling in Love — Haley Reinhart
- You Are Mine (feat. Holley Maher) — Spencer Combs
- Grow Old With You — ortoPilot
- The One – Acoustic Piano — Matt Johnson
- Iris — Kina Grannis
- I Won’t Give Up — Jason Mraz
- How Long Will I Love You — Canyon City
- Tenerife Sea – Acoustic Live Lounge — Matt Johnson
About Synergy Events
Synergy Events is a Los Angeles DJ and lighting company with more than 20 years of experience, serving weddings and events across Southern California. We are music specialists and crowd readers, and we blend songs seamlessly so every part of the night feels intentional. Hear more on DJ Wrex’s SoundCloud, see our reviews on The Knot, or contact us to check your date.
The order of a ceremony and where wedding processional songs fit
A traditional ceremony starts with the seating of grandparents and parents, followed by the officiant and groom taking their places, then the wedding party, then the ring bearer and flower girl, and finally the bride. Most couples play one piece for the earlier entrances and a different piece for the bride. That second song is what we mean by wedding processional songs, and it is the one that tells guests to stand and turn.
If your ceremony has an unusual order, such as both partners walking together or the groom meeting the bride halfway, tell your coordinator and your DJ. The music cue is simply the moment the doors open, and we can time it to any order you like.
Some couples choose a third song for parents. That can be a gentle option if you want to give the parents a moment of their own before the bride appears.
Choosing wedding processional songs by venue
The venue changes the feel of the music more than most couples expect. In a church or a historic hall, the room is acoustically live, so slower tempos and strings sound full and clear. In a garden or on a beach, wind and open air swallow detail, so songs with a clear melody and a steady rhythm carry better than quiet, complex arrangements.
Hotel ballrooms and indoor venues with low ceilings often suit acoustic guitar or piano. Rooftops and urban venues can handle a more modern sound, since the surrounding noise is part of the setting. If you are not sure how your venue will sound, ask us. We have played most of the popular venues in Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego, and we know which ones need more volume and which need less.
Instrumental covers or original recordings
Many brides want a song with lyrics they love but do not want vocals competing with the moment. A string quartet, piano or guitar cover of a favorite song is the usual answer. The melody is familiar and the mood is calm, so guests can focus on the bride instead of the words.
Original recordings work well when the song is the point. If you walk down the aisle to a song with personal meaning, the lyrics become part of the story, and guests who know the song will react. If you choose an original recording, check the full lyrics so nothing surprising lands during the walk, and let us know where you want the song to start so the first line matches the doors opening.
If you are hiring live musicians for the ceremony, tell us so we can coordinate the handoff. Many couples use live music for the ceremony and a DJ for the cocktail hour and reception, and we can run a backup track in case something goes wrong.
Using two songs for the bridal entrance
Some brides want a build. A common approach is to start with a soft intro as the doors open and then move to a second, fuller song as the bride begins the walk. We can edit the two pieces together so the change feels like a single arrangement, and cue the transition with your coordinator.
Another approach is to play one song for the whole walk and to let it flow into the officiant’s welcome. We can fade the music under the first words so there is no abrupt silence. If you prefer a clean stop, we cut the music exactly as you reach the front.
Cultural and religious ceremonies
Many couples blend traditions, and the music reflects that. A Catholic ceremony may include a hymn or Ave Maria, a Jewish ceremony may use a traditional melody, and a Filipino or Latin ceremony may include a song from the family’s culture. We often layer traditional music into the processional or play it for the parents’ entrance while the bride’s song is a more personal choice.
If you are unsure how to blend traditions, tell us what matters to each family. We can suggest an order and a set of songs that honors both. For a multi-day or multi-ceremony wedding, we plan the music for each event separately so each one feels distinct.
Ceremony sound: speakers and microphones
Great wedding processional songs still need good sound. For ceremonies we set up speakers aimed at the guests, test the microphones for the officiant and the couple, and check that the music reaches the back row without being loud at the front. In outdoor ceremonies we pay attention to wind and place the speakers so the sound is even.
We also bring backup equipment. A dead battery or a dropped signal during the bride’s entrance is the kind of problem that should never reach the guests, so we keep spares ready and a second copy of every file.
Rehearsal and cues for wedding processional songs
A short rehearsal helps. Walk the aisle once with the coordinator, count how long it takes and decide where the music should start and stop. Let your coordinator know who gives the cue, whether it is a hand signal, a nod or a radio message, and tell us who to watch. We run the same cue every time so there are no surprises on the day.
If the officiant needs a moment before speaking, we can add a few seconds of fade. If you want guests to remain seated until the bride arrives, a short pause with the doors closed builds the moment before the music begins.
Mistakes to avoid when choosing wedding processional songs
- Choosing a song only for the lyrics: a beautiful song with a slow, dragging tempo can make the walk feel longer than it is.
- Skipping the edit: long intros and endings leave the bride waiting or the room in silence.
- Forgetting the length of the aisle: count the steps and match the song.
- Not testing the sound: a quiet cover can disappear outdoors.
- Changing at the last minute: send final choices a few weeks ahead so we can prepare edits.
- Using the same song for the party and the bride: a clear change tells guests the moment has arrived.
When to decide on wedding processional songs
Pick your song about six to eight weeks before the wedding. That gives you time to listen again, change your mind and still leave your DJ or musicians enough time to prepare edits. If you are using live musicians, they often need the sheet music or an arrangement earlier, so ask them for their deadline.
A month before the wedding, send us the final title, the version you want and the moment you want it to start. We confirm the edit, test the file and add it to your ceremony timeline. In the last week, only small changes should be needed, such as adjusting the fade or switching to a backup.
How a DJ helps with wedding processional songs
A DJ is more than a person who presses play. For the ceremony we handle sound for the officiant and the couple, cue the music with your coordinator, play a backup if a file fails and keep the volume balanced as guests arrive. We also make sure the music for the processional, the recessional and the guests’ exit all flow together.
If you are choosing between a DJ and live musicians for the ceremony, many couples find that a DJ is more flexible. We can play any song, in any version, and we can change the plan quickly if the timing shifts. If you want live music, we can coordinate with the musicians and take over for the rest of the day.
Styles of wedding processional songs and who they suit
Classical and traditional. Pachelbel’s Canon in D, Ave Maria and similar pieces suit churches, historic halls and formal weddings. They are calm, familiar and give a bride a slow, graceful pace. If you want a classical feel with a modern edge, a string quartet cover of a pop song is a popular compromise.
Acoustic and indie. Soft guitar or piano covers fit gardens, vineyards and relaxed ceremonies. The tempo is easy to walk to, and the mood is intimate. These suit couples who want the walk to feel personal rather than formal.
Pop and R&B instrumentals. A lullaby, string or piano version of a song you love lets guests recognize the melody without the vocals. This is the most common choice we see, and it works in almost any venue.
Original recordings. Songs with vocals are best for couples who want the lyrics to be part of the moment. Pick a song with a clear start and a chorus that lines up with the last few steps of the aisle.
Cultural and religious music. A hymn, a traditional melody or a song from your family’s culture can make the walk feel rooted in your story. We often layer these with a modern piece for the bride.
Questions to ask before you choose
- How long is the aisle, and how fast will I walk?
- Do I want guests to recognize the song, or should it feel like a surprise?
- Will I be walking alone, with parents or with both?
- Do I want vocals, or an instrumental version?
- Is there a moment in the song I want to line up with the doors opening?
- Have I listened to the full song, including the ending?
Putting wedding processional songs into your ceremony timeline
Write down the order of the ceremony, with the music for each part. A typical timeline has prelude music as guests arrive, a processional for the wedding party, a song for the bride, a short pause for the officiant, and a recessional. Share it with your coordinator, your officiant and your DJ, so everyone has the same cues.
If you change anything the week before, tell all three. A single missed cue can leave the bride waiting at the door, so we make sure everyone has the final plan.
Special situations for wedding processional songs
Walking with both parents. Pick a song with a steady tempo, since three people walking together move a little slower. We can extend the intro so you have a moment at the door before you start.
Walking alone. A solo walk can feel powerful. A song with a clear build helps you set the pace, and we can start the music a beat before you step out.
Honoring a loved one. Some brides choose a song that was meaningful to a parent or grandparent who cannot be there. Tell your officiant and your DJ so the moment is handled with care, whether that means a quiet pause or a short mention.
Two brides or two grooms. Each partner can walk to their own song, or both can walk to the same one. We can edit two songs into a single arrangement so the change in the middle is smooth.
Short aisles and tight venues. If the aisle is only a few steps, choose a song that starts at the chorus and ends quickly, so the music finishes as you reach the front.
Frequently asked questions
What are good wedding processional songs for the bride?
Instrumental covers of favorite songs, classical pieces such as Canon in D, and soft acoustic pop are the most common choices.
Should we still use the bridal chorus?
You can, but most brides today choose something that feels more personal.
How long should wedding processional songs be?
About one to two minutes. We loop or fade the song to fit the walk.
Can the song change halfway?
Yes. A common choice is a soft start that builds when the bride appears. We cue the change.
Can I walk to a song with lyrics?
Yes, though some brides prefer instrumental versions to keep guests focused on the walk.
What if my aisle is short?
We edit the song to fit, starting at the part that you like best.
Who cues the music?
Your coordinator or officiant. We follow their signal and keep a backup.
Can both parents walk me down the aisle?
Yes. Pick a song that fits the pace and tell us who is walking.
Do you provide ceremony sound?
Yes, including microphones and music.
How do we book you?
Use our contact page and check your date.